U.S. patent application number 14/514866 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-23 for harness device.
The applicant listed for this patent is SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.. Invention is credited to Masashi HAYASHI, Hirokazu NAKAI.
Application Number | 20150107894 14/514866 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52775399 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150107894 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HAYASHI; Masashi ; et
al. |
April 23, 2015 |
HARNESS DEVICE
Abstract
A harness device is provided in which the number of parts is
reduced. A pipe-side connecting portion of a grommet is fitted onto
the outer circumferential side of an end portion of a shielding
pipe, and a wire harness is inserted into the inside of the
shielding pipe. A clamp member is attached to the portion in which
the shielding pipe and the grommet are connected to each other. The
clamp member includes a first and second divided bodies that are
connected with a hinge edge so as to be capable of being opened and
closed, and by closing both of the divided bodies, a tightening
portion is configured to tighten the portion in which the shielding
pipe and the grommet are connected to each other. The clamp member
is integrally formed with an attaching portion and can be fixed to
a vehicle body side.
Inventors: |
HAYASHI; Masashi;
(Yokkaichi, JP) ; NAKAI; Hirokazu; (Yokkaichi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD. |
Yokkaichi |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
52775399 |
Appl. No.: |
14/514866 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
174/72A ;
248/74.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 16/0222 20130101;
H01B 7/0045 20130101; B60R 16/0215 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
174/72.A ;
248/74.3 |
International
Class: |
B60R 16/02 20060101
B60R016/02; H01B 7/00 20060101 H01B007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 17, 2013 |
JP |
2013-216117 |
Claims
1. A harness device comprising: a first member; a second member
that is fitted onto and connected to an outer circumferential side
of the first member; a wire harness that is inserted into an inside
of the first and second members; and a clamp member that tightens
the first member and the second member at a portion where the first
and second members are connected, the clamp member being provided
with an attaching portion that is configured to be fixed to an
installation surface on which the first member and the second
member are installed.
2. The harness device according to claim 1, wherein the clamp
member includes: a first divided body; a second divided body, the
first divided body and the second divided body being connected with
a hinge; and a tightening portion that surrounds an entire outer
circumferential portion of the second member at the portion in
which the first member and the second member are connected when the
first and second divided bodies are united, and wherein the hinge
is configured to open and close the tightening portion.
3. The harness device according to claim 2, wherein the second
member is formed of a rubber material, and includes: an inner
circumferential surface; an outer circumferential surface; and a
plurality of sealing lips that are formed on the inner
circumferential surface of the second member come into intimate
contact with the outer circumferential surface of the first
member.
4. The harness device according to claim 2, wherein the clamp
member includes a protecting portion that covers an end surface of
the second member in a circumferential direction is formed at a
position that is located on an inner circumferential surface of the
tightening portion of the clamp member and projects from an end
surface of the second member outwardly in an axial direction.
5. The harness device according to claim 3, wherein the clamp
member includes a rib that presses against an outer circumferential
surface of the second member is formed in a circumferential
direction in a region where the sealing lips are formed on the
inner circumferential surface of the tightening portion.
6. The harness device comprising: a shielding pipe, the shielding
pipe having an outer circumferential surface; a grommet that is
disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the shielding pipe;
a connecting portion where the shielding pipe and the grommet are
connected; a wire harness that is inserted into the shielding pipe;
and a clamp that tightens the shielding pipe and the grommet at the
connecting portion, the clamp being provided with an attaching
portion that is configured to be fixed to an installation surface
on which the shielding pipe and the grommet are installed.
7. The harness device according to claim 6, wherein the grommet is
formed of a rubber material and includes: an inner circumferential
surface, an outer circumferential surface, and a plurality of
sealing lips that are formed on the inner circumferential surface
of the grommet contact the outer circumferential surface of the
shielding pipe.
8. The harness device according to claim 7, wherein the clamp
includes a protecting portion that covers an end surface of the
grommet.
9. The harness device according to claim 7, wherein the clamp
includes a pressing rib that presses against the outer
circumferential surface of the grommet.
10. A clamp for tightening a connection between a shielding pipe
and a grommet, the clamp comprising: a first divided body; a second
divided body, the first divided body and the second divided body
being connected by a hinge; and an attaching portion that is
configured to be fixed to an installation surface on which the
shielding pipe and the grommet are installed.
11. The clamp according to claim 10, wherein the first divided body
further comprises a locking jaw.
12. The clamp according to claim 11, wherein the attaching portion
further comprises lock receiving portions that are configured to
receive the locking jaw.
13. The clamp according to claim 12, wherein the protecting portion
is configured to press against the grommet, and is disposed on one
side of the first divided body and one side of the second divided
body.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Exemplary embodiments relate to a harness device.
[0002] Conventionally, in hybrid vehicles and electric cars, a
plurality of electric wires are routed under the floor of the
vehicle between the front portion and rear portion of the vehicle.
Typically, the electric wires are routed through the inside of
various pipe-shaped members, as seen in a related application, JP
2012-56368A. For example, a rubber grommet is connected to a region
of a corrugated tube or a metal shielding pipe in which a sealing
performance is required. The electric wires that are routed through
the inside of the corrugated tube or the metal shielding pipe are
then routed through the grommet when passing through that
region.
[0003] The grommet is connected conventionally and sealed to the
shielding pipe or the corrugated tube using resin bundling tie to
tighten the connecting portion of the grommet to the shielding pipe
or corrugated tube or using tape. Clips for fixing the corrugated
tube or the shielding pipe to the vehicle body side can also be
disposed at appropriate portions in the middle part of the
corrugated tube or the shielding pipe. Conventionally, the member
for tightening the connecting portion (i.e., a bundling tie or a
tape) and the member for fixing the corrugated tube or the
shielding pipe to the vehicle body (i.e., a clip) have been
dedicated members. There has been a need for the reduction of the
number of parts.
SUMMARY
[0004] Exemplary embodiments of this application were designed
based on the foregoing circumstances, and it is an object to
provide a harness device that reduces the number of required
parts.
[0005] The harness device of exemplary embodiments includes a first
member, a second member that is fitted onto and connected to an
outer circumferential side of the first member, a wire harness that
is inserted into an inside of the first and second members, and a
clamp member that tightens both of the first and second members at
a portion in which the first and second members are connected to
each other, wherein the clamp member is provided with an attaching
portion that can be fixed to an installation surface on which the
first and second members are installed.
[0006] With exemplary embodiments, it is possible to tighten the
portion in which the first and second members are connected to each
other with the clamp member having the attaching portion.
Accordingly, the clamp member has a function of tightening the
portion in which the first and second members are connected to each
other and a function of fixing those members to an installation
surface, and therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of
components compared with a configuration in which both functions
are achieved using separate members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion in which
a shielding pipe and a grommet are connected to each other in
Example 1.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a clamp member in an open
state.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional front view of the portion in
which the shielding pipe and the grommet are connected to each
other.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the portion in
which the shielding pipe and the grommet are connected to each
other in Example 2.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the portion in
which a corrugated tube and the grommet are connected to each other
in Example 3.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the portion in
which the corrugated tube and the grommet are connected to each
other in Example 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Exemplary embodiments are described below.
[0014] (1) Exemplary embodiments of the harness device have a
configuration in which a clamp member includes a first divided body
and second divided body that are configured with a tightening
portion that surrounds an entire outer circumferential portion of
the second member at a portion in which the first and second
members are connected to each other when the first and second
divided bodies are united, and the first and second divided bodies
are connected to each other with a hinge that can open and close
the tightening portion.
[0015] With this configuration, the clamp member has a
configuration in which the first and second divided bodies are
coupled with the hinge, to reduce the number of required parts and
improve handling.
[0016] (2) The second member may be formed of a rubber material,
and a plurality of sealing lips that come into close contact with
an outer circumferential surface of the first member may be formed
on an inner circumferential surface of the second member.
[0017] With this configuration, the clamp member tightens the
portion in which both pipe-shaped members are connected to each
other by closing the first and second divided bodies. This allows
for a substantially constant tightening force to act on the portion
where the pipe-shaped members are connected. Accordingly, a
substantially constant sealing force between both pipe-shaped
members can be easily obtained.
[0018] (3) An exemplary embodiment of the harness device has a
configuration in which a protecting portion that can cover an end
surface of the second member in a circumferential direction is
disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the tightening
portion and projects from an end surface of the second member
outwardly in an axial direction.
[0019] With this configuration, the end surface of the second
member is covered with the protecting portion on the inner
circumferential surface of the tightening portion of the clamp
member. Accordingly, even if, for example, high-pressure washing
water is blown toward the end surface of the second pipe-shaped
member, high-pressure washing water hits on the protecting portion
and is not directly blown against the end surface of the second
pipe-shaped member. This prevents the end surface from turning up
and deteriorating the sealing performance.
[0020] (4) An exemplary embodiment of the harness device may have a
configuration in which a rib that presses against an outer
circumferential surface of the second member is formed in a
circumferential direction in a region where the sealing lips are
formed on the inner circumferential surface of the tightening
portion.
[0021] With this configuration, when the tightening portion
tightens the portion in which both members are connected to each
other, the rib presses against the region where the sealing lip is
formed in the second member. This helps to improve the sealing
force. Moreover, by adjusting the projecting height of the rib, it
is possible to easily change the sealing force.
[0022] The following paragraphs discuss Examples 1 to 4 of the
harness device in relation to the drawings.
EXAMPLE 1
[0023] FIGS. 1 to 3 show Example 1 of the harness device. FIG. 1 is
an enlarged view of the portion in which a shielding pipe 1, or
second member, and a grommet 2, or second member, are connected to
each other. A wire harness W connecting a battery side and an
inverter side of a hybrid vehicle is inserted into the inside
thereof.
[0024] The wire harness W is configured to include a plurality of
high-voltage electric wires.
[0025] The shielding pipe 1 is made of metal (aluminum alloy) and
is disposed along the lower surface of the floor of a vehicle. The
shielding pipe 1 is formed in a long pipe shape having a circular
cross section. One end portion of a braided wire 14 that shields
the wire harness W toward an ECU (not shown) side is connected to
the end portion of the shielding pipe 1 with a metal crimping ring
15.
[0026] The grommet 2 is formed of a rubber material in a
substantially cylindrical shape. One end portion of the grommet 2
is a case-side connecting portion 2A. The end portions of a
corrugated tube 13 and the braided wire 14 are inserted into the
inside of the case-side connecting portion 2A and the case-side
connecting portion 2A is fitted onto the outer circumferential side
of the end portion of the corrugated tube 13, so that the case-side
connecting portion 2A is connected thereto. A total of four sealing
lips 3 project from and extend all around the inner circumferential
surface of the case-side connecting portion 2A with a constant
pitch. The sealing lips 3 come into close contact with the valley
portions of projecting and recessed portions that are formed on the
outer circumferential surface of the corrugated tube 13 and thus
are sealed.
[0027] Moreover, a portion located slightly inside from the front
end on the outer circumferential surface of the case-side
connecting portion 2A is recessed along the entire circumference to
form a recessed groove 4. The recessed groove 4 is formed in a
width region between the sealing lip 3 positioned on the backmost
side and one of the sealing lips 3 positioned in front of that
sealing lip 3. A bundling tie (not shown) can be attached to the
recessed groove 4. When the bundling tie is fastened in a state
where it is positioned in the recessed groove 4, the sealing lips
located at the corresponding positions are strongly compressed
thereby increasing the sealing force.
[0028] The other end portion of the grommet 2 is a pipe-side
connecting portion 2B and can be fitted onto the outer
circumferential surface of the end portion of the shielding pipe 1
to be connected thereto. Although the outer circumferential surface
of the pipe-side connecting portion 2B has no projecting and
recessed portions, a total of four sealing lips 5 project from and
extend all around the inner circumferential surface. The sealing
lips 5 can come into close contact with the outer circumferential
surface of the shielding pipe 1 in a state where the shielding pipe
1 is inserted into the pipe-side connecting portion 2B.
[0029] A large-diameter portion 2C is formed continuously from the
pipe-side connecting portion 2B at the central portion of the
grommet 2 and accommodates the crimping ring 15.
[0030] The clamp member 6 is made of a single piece of a synthetic
resin material. The clamp member 6 has first divided body 6A and a
second divided body 6B as shown in FIG. 2. First end portions of
the first and second divided bodies 6A and 6B are connected by a
hinge edge 7 so that the first and second divided bodies 6A and 6B
can be opened and closed. Both divided bodies 6A and 6B have a
cross section having a semicircular shape. On the other hand, a
pair of locking claws 8 projects from both side edges on the free
end side of the first divided body 6A, and lock-receiving portions
9 to which the locking claws 8 can be locked and unlocked are
formed on the corresponding side edges of the second divided body
6B. When both of the first and second divided bodies 6A and 6B are
closed, the locking claws 8 are locked to the lock-receiving
portions 9, so that both divided bodies 6A and 6B are locked to
each other in a joined state. Both divided bodies 6A and 613 can be
joined with the above-described locking, form a tightening portion
10 having a cylindrical shape in the joined state to surround the
entire circumference of the portion in which the shielding pipe 1
and the pipe-side connecting portion 2B are connected to each
other, and cause a predetermined tightening force to act on that
portion.
[0031] The length in an axial direction of the tightening portion
10 is set to be longer than that of the pipe-side connecting
portion 2B. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, one end portion of the
tightening portion 10 projects from the grommet 2 in the axial
direction in a state where the clamp member 6 tightens the
pipe-side connecting portion 2B.
[0032] Moreover, protecting portions 11 project from a portion that
is located on the inner circumferential surfaces of both divided
bodies 6A and 6B, that is, the inner circumferential surface of the
tightening portion 10, and that projects from the pipe-side
connecting portion 2B in the axial direction when the pipe-side
connecting portion 2B is tightened. When both divided bodies 6A and
6B are united, the protecting portions 11 can cover the entire
circumference of the end surface of the pipe-side connecting
portion 2B. The protecting portions 11 are formed in a rib shape in
a circumferential direction, and front ends thereof come in
substantially intimate contact with the outer circumferential
surface of the shielding pipe 1. The protecting portions 11 that
are configured this way to prevent high-pressure washing water from
being directly blown against the front end surface of the pipe-side
connecting portion 2B. The protecting portions 11 also prevent the
high-pressure washing water from acting on the front end surface in
a direction in which the front end surface is turned up when the
high-pressure washing water infiltrates through the gap between the
tightening portion 10 and the shielding pipe 1 in the axial
direction.
[0033] The clamp member 6 is provided with the tightening portion
10 as well as an attaching portion 12 for fixing the clamp member 6
to a vehicle body (installation surface). An insertion port 16 is
open in the lower surface of the attaching portion 12, and a
bracket 18 can be inserted thereinto. The bracket is fixed to a car
body, and a locking window 17 is open in the front end portion.
Moreover, a locking claw 19 is formed in the attaching portion 12
so as to be flexible and locked to the locking window 17 of the
bracket 18. This makes it possible to fix the clamp member 6 and in
turn the entirety of the shielding pipe 1 and grommet 2 to the car
body side.
[0034] Example 1 configured as described above can exhibit the
following effect.
[0035] The clamp member 6 according to Example 1 is provided with
the tightening portion 10 as well as the attaching portion 12. In
other words, the portion in which the shielding pipe 1 and the
grommet 2 are connected to each other is tightened using a member
for fixing those members to the vehicle body side. This allows for
a reduction in the number of required parts.
[0036] Moreover, the clamp member 6 forms a tightening portion 10
by closing the first and second divided bodies 6A and 6B and thus
can fix the portion in which the shielding pipe 1 and the pipe-side
connecting portion 2B of the grommet 2 are connected to each other
by tightening that portion with the tightening portion 10. Since
that portion is tightened by only a closing operation of the first
and second divided bodies 6A and 6B at this time, it is possible to
obtain a constant tightening force without having to rely on the
skill of a worker. Accordingly, a stable sealing force can be
obtained between the shielding pipe 1 and the grommet 2.
[0037] Furthermore, since the clamp member 6 is provided with a
protecting portion 11 in this Example 1, it is possible to prevent
a situation in which high-pressure washing water is directly blown
against the end surface of the pipe-side connecting portion 2B.
Accordingly, the end surface of the pipe-side connecting portion 2B
is not displaced in a direction in which the end surface is turned
up, and thus the protecting portion 11 is effective in maintaining
a sealing function.
EXAMPLE 2
[0038] FIG. 4 shows Example 2 of the harness device. A clamp member
20 according to Example 2 has the same basic configuration as the
clamp member 6 according to Example 1 but differs in that a
pressing rib 22 additionally projects, in a circumferential
direction, from the central portion, with respect to the axial
direction, of the inner circumferential surface of a tightening
portion 21, that is, the inner circumferential surfaces of both
divided bodies 20A and 20B. The portion in which the pressing rib
22 is formed corresponds to the region over the two sealing lips 5
positioned on the back side in the region where the sealing lips 5
of the pipe-side connecting portion 2B are formed. The pressing rib
22 can locally increase a tightening force and thus locally improve
a sealing force in a state where a tightening portion 21 tightens
the portion in which the grommet 2 and the shielding pipe 1 are
connected to each other.
[0039] With this configuration, the pressing rib 22 projects from a
portion of the region where the sealing lips 5 are formed, and
therefore, in addition to the effect of Example 1, an effect is
exhibited in which a tightening force is locally improved in the
pipe-side connecting portion 2B and thus a sealing force is further
increased.
EXAMPLE 3
[0040] FIG. 5 shows Example 3 of the harness device. Example 3 is
used at the portion in which a grommet 30 and a corrugated tube 31
are connected to each other. A braided wire 35 that shields the
wire harness W is inserted into the corrugated tube 31. Terminal
fittings are connected to the end portions of the high-voltage
electric wires constituting the wire harness and are accommodated
inside a connector 38 with a shielding case 37. It should be noted
that the connector 38 can be connected to a connector on an ECU
side (not shown). Moreover, the braided wire 35 and the shielding
case 37 are connected with a crimping ring 39.
[0041] The corrugated tube 31 is formed in a bellows shape in which
a large number of projecting and recessed portions formed along the
entire outer circumferential surface are repeated at every fixed
pitch. Thereby, favorable flexibility is given to the corrugated
tube 31, and the wire harness W constituted by a plurality of
electric wires is inserted into it.
[0042] A case-side connecting portion 30A is formed on one end side
of the grommet 30, and a tube-side connecting portion 30B that is
connected to the corrugated tube 31 is formed on the other end
side. Two sealing lips 32 shown in the drawing are formed on the
inner circumferential surface of the tube-side connecting portion
30B. One sealing lip 32 is disposed at the open end of the
tube-side connecting portion 30A, and the other sealing lip 32 is
disposed slightly backward from the one sealing lip 32. Both
sealing lips 32 are fitted into the corresponding recessed portions
31A with one valley portion 31A of the corrugated tube 31
intervening therebetween, and come into intimate contact with the
bottom surfaces of the valley portions 31A to secure a sealing
performance.
[0043] A clamp member 33 has the substantially same basic
configuration as that of Example 1 but differs in that a
positioning rib 34 that is locked to the valley portion 31A of the
corrugated tube 31 projects instead of the protecting portion 11 of
Example 1. The positioning rib 34 is formed at the position located
slightly inside from the side ends of first and second divided
bodies 33A and 33B.
[0044] In this manner, with Example 3, the positioning rib 34 is
locked utilizing the projecting and recessed shape of the
corrugated tube 31, and therefore, an effect is exhibited in which
the clamp member 33 can tighten the portion in which the corrugated
tube 31 and the grommet 30 are connected to each other in a state
where the clamp member 33 is positioned.
EXAMPLE 4
[0045] FIG. 6 shows Example 4 of the harness device. Example 4 has
the substantially same basic configuration as Example 3 but differs
only in that a pressing rib 42 projects from the inner
circumferential surface of a tightening portion 41 of a clamp
member 40 in the circumferential direction. The pressing rib 42 is
disposed in correspondence to the sealing lip 32 on the back side
of the two sealing lips 32 formed in the tube-side connecting
portion 30B of the grommet 30. The pressing rib 42 presses against
the outer circumferential surface of the tube-side connecting
portion 30B in a state where the clamp member 40 is attached
thereto, and compresses the corresponding sealing lip 32 to locally
increase a sealing force.
[0046] The other configuration is the same as that of Example 3,
and therefore, the same effect can be exhibited.
OTHER EXAMPLES
[0047] While various features have been described in conjunction
with the examples outlined above, various alternatives,
modifications, variations, and/or improvements of those features
and/or examples may be possible. Accordingly, the examples, as set
forth above, are intended to be illustrative. Various changes may
be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the
underlying inventive principles. For example, the following
variations are also possible. (1) Although, in the above examples,
the first and second divided bodies 6A and 6B, 20A and 20B, and 33A
and 33B are connected to each other with the hinge edge 7 in the
clamp members 6, 20 and 33, they may be separated without
connecting to each other to form separate members.
[0048] (2) In Example 1, the protecting portion 11 is formed at a
position located inside from the side end of the clamp member 6,
but may be formed on the side edge. Thereby, it is possible to
prevent high-pressure washing water from infiltrating into the
inside of the clamp member 6 and acting in a direction in which the
first and second divided bodies 6A and 6B are separated.
[0049] (3) Although, in the above examples, the grommets 2 and 30,
both of which are made of rubber, are used as connecting partners
of the shielding pipe 1 and the corrugated tube 31, respectively,
the connecting partners are not necessarily limited to the grommets
2 and 30, and a sealing performance is not necessarily required in
the connecting portion of the harness device.
* * * * *